What is Bioremediation? Please give an example too.

Hello Ram,

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Bioremediation is a branch of biotechnology which deals with the use of living organisms such as microbes and bacteria to remove contaminants, pollutants and toxins from soil and water. It can be used to clean up environmental problems like an oil spill or contaminated groundwater.

Bioremediation relies on stimulating the growth of certain microbes that use contaminants like oil, solvents, and pesticides as a source of food and energy. These microbes consume the contaminants, converting them into small amounts of water and harmless gases like carbon dioxide. Effective bioremediation needs a combination of the right temperature, nutrients, and food; otherwise, it may take much longer for the cleanup of contaminants. If conditions are not favorable for bioremediation, they can be improved by adding “amendments” to the environment, such as molasses, vegetable oil or simply air. These amendments create optimum conditions for microbes to flourish and complete the bioremediation process.

Example: Composting

Composting has been used as a bioremediation process for many different organic compounds. It is widely employed to recycle nutrients in garden and yard waste. A finished compost can be used as a soil conditioner. Extending composting technology to new bioremediation applications requires experiments. The biodegradation process must be effective within the context of existing environmental conditions, and odors and gases that are generated by the process have to be strictly controlled.

Hope this helps. Good luck!